|
|
|
|
|
|
feeling that Beorn wished to speak to me, but I gave him no opportunity. There were more important matters to settle." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"You have the time to give him?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ian twisted his neck to look at her. "Why not?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alinor's lips tightened, and she made a gesture that sent maids and squires scurrying out of the chamber. "I had the impression that you had stopped only for a brief visit, that you were on your way somewhere." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annoyed for the moment by Alinor's casual assumption of authority over his servants, Ian was now grateful. "Oh, well" He replaced his head on his folded arms. "I was not sure how angry you would be when I proposed we should be married. That excuse was for the children, in case you should order me to leave." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There was a silence that soon struck Ian as unnatural. He lifted his head again and was shocked to see hurt and real anger in Alinor's face. He curled around, sat up, and seized her hands. "Alinor, what have I said?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Ask instead what you have not said." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A weird mixture of hope and disappointment gripped Ian. The only thing he knew he had not said was that he loved her. The need that grew larger in him as he grew surer Alinor would marry him was the need to be loved by her. He had thought it was the last thing Alinor wanted to hear. If she could love him, that would be heaven. If she had loved Simon, could she change so soon? So soon wipe out so many years of love? How long would her love for him last? Did it matter? If she would look at him once with the eyes that had dwelt on Simon, it would be enough. The warring emotions made him hesitate. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Did you think I had forgotten your talk of caging the wolf?" Alinor asked coldly. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"What wolf?" Ian got out, totally confused, except |
|
|
|
|
|